CHEMICAL PROPERTIES

OF MINERALS
Chemical properties of minerals
show the presence and
arrangement of atoms in
minerals. Using their chemical
properties, minerals are
identified by how they react to
certain substances.
1. SILICATE CLASS
- largest group of minerals
• contains silicon and
oxygen, with some
aluminum, magnesium,
iron an calcium
• MAFIC (magnesium)
• FELSIC (feldspar)
COMMON
EXAMPLES
• Olivine
• Pyroxene
• Amphibole
• Muscovite
• Feldspar
USES
• microchips
(conductivity)
• glass and ceramics
• quartz crystals
(vibrations)
2. CARBONATE CLASS
- deposited in marine environments
• shells of dead planktons
• places with high
evaporation rates
• in karsts and caves
• in stalactites and
stalagmites
COMMON
EXAMPLES
• Aragonite
• Calcite
• Malachite
• Aragonite
USES
• carbon paper
• glass and ceramics
• rayon
• soap and detergent
• livestock mineral
supplement
• soda ash
3. SULPHATE CLASS
- where salty waters slowly
evaporate
• places with high
evaporation rates
• water-sediments
COMMON
EXAMPLES
• Barite
• Gypsum
• Celestite
USES
• plaster
• algaecide
• mineral supplement
• epsom salt
• surfactant
• lead-acid battery
4. HALIDE CLASS
- contains natural salts
• in lakes, ponds, and other
landlocked seas
COMMON
EXAMPLES
• Halite
• Flourite
USES
• metal-halide lamps
• steel and aluminum
• fertilizer
• rock salt
5. OXIDE CLASS
- most important class to human
civilization
• carry histories of changes
in Earth’s magnetic field
• precipitates close to
Earth’s surface
• oxidation products during
weathering
• accessory minerals in
igneous rocks
COMMON
EXAMPLES
• Hematite
• Corundum
USES
• inorganic sunscreen
• flame retardant
• coloring agent
• Alkali batteries
6. SULPHIDE CLASS
- contains most of the economically
significant minerals to man
• includes copper, lead, and
zinc
COMMON
EXAMPLES
• Acanthite
• Chalcocite
USES
• photocells (CdS)
• fungicide
• infrared sensors (PbS)
• photoluminescent
strips in emergency
lights (ZnS)
7. PHOSPHATE CLASS
- important biological minerals
• found in bones and teeth
of animals (Phosphorous)
COMMON
EXAMPLES
• Turquoise
• Wavellite
• Apatite
USES
• phosphate fertilizers
• health nutrients
• phosphate salts
8. ELEMENT CLASS
- contains pure native elements
•usually metals
•pure form
COMMON
EXAMPLES
• Gold
• Copper
• Bismuth
USES
• jewelries, coins
• wires
• cosmetics
• pipes, guns, fish
sinkers, alloy